Administrative Department
Caryn Franchuk – Controller and Administrative Manager
cfranchuk@burloaksgolfclub.com
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is…the beautiful scenery – the course, trees, flowers. Its nature at its best!
My favorite meal is…Cheeseburger and Fries, Walleye, or Steak – any of the above!
What was your first job? I was a cashier at Dairy Queen.
What do you want to do when you retire? Move somewhere warm and sunny
Ivy Blix – Administrative Assistant and Master Gardner
The craziest request I have received from a member…I get lots of gardening requests and if I had the time, I would be working in everyone’s garden.
When did you get the “bug” to work in this industry? I love to golf and the opportunity came up to garden so I grabbed it.
What do you want to do when you retire? Golf, travel, and spend someone else’s money.
What is your favorite quote? “All dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney
Alecia Prins – Marketing Coordinator and Membership Director
Education: I went to Minnesota State University, Mankato and graduated with a double major in Marketing and Spanish, as well as continuing my education to receive an MBA.
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is…the staff! Everyone here is so fun to work with and get to know.
When did you get the “bug” to work in the golf industry? I have been golfing since I was 8 years old, and can't get enough of it! Golf has been a huge part of my life - I played in high school and college, and coached golf in college as well. Working at a golf course is really the perfect job for me!
What do you want to do when you retire? Golf and travel!
Food & Beverage Department
Mike Grulke – Food and Beverage Manager
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks…is getting to know the members.
My funniest event experience…was when during a wedding the tornado sirens went off and we had to shuffle everyone down to the locker rooms. We were able to continue with the wedding but during the cake cutting, the tornado sirens went off again. This time, no one went downstairs…everyone was having too much fun!
Education: I went to University of Wisconsin – Stout and graduated with double majors in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management and Service Management.
What was your first job? I helped at a pet grooming shop.
Scott Frelich – Executive Chef
My favorite meal is…King Crab Legs
The best event I planned was…the Chef and Child Dinner. It was a fundraiser for the Children’s Home Society of Minnesota with a $150-plated dinner. I was the head chef of a team of 25 premier chefs in the Twin Cities. It was exhilarating and exhausting!
When did you get the “bug” to work in the food industry? I don’t know when, but I got the bug from my grandmother.
What is your favorite quote? “It’s a dog-eat-dog world and I’m wearing Milkbone underwear.” ~ Norm from Cheers
Scott Hall - Oak Grill Manager and Tournament Director
My favorite meal is...Prime Rib and Lobster with free refills!
My top 5 golf courses I have played are...San Francisco Golf Club, Blackwolf Run, Spanish Bay, Burl Oaks, and Olde Scotland Links.
The best event I planned was...the Grand Opening at Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
What was your first job? Mowing lawns
Golf Department
Scott Leer – PGA Director of Golf and Membership Director
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is…the great membership.
My top 5 golf courses that I have played include: Oak Ridge, Minneapolis, TPC Sawgrass, RTJ Trail, Troon North Monument
Education: I graduated with a degree in Accounting from the University of North Dakota.
What do you want to do when you retire? Teach and play golf!
Trevor Christianson – Assistant Golf Pro
tchristianson@burloaksgolfclub.com
My favorite golf course, besides Burl Oaks, is…Augusta National.
Education: I went to North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Agronomy.
What was your first job? I stocked shelves at a grocery store.
What do you want to do when you retire? Golf and Hunt
Dave Serie
Chad Oistad – Assistant Golf Pro
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is…the people – staff and members – and the golf course.
My funniest golf experience was…getting an “ace” in the Johney Fever Open.
What was your first job? Mowing lawns for Mille Lacs County
What is your favorite quote? “Shine On!”
Matt Parker - Assistant Golf Pro
My favorite golf course, besides Burl Oaks, is...Primm Valley Resort in Las Vegas
What do you want to do when you retire? I am doing it now...continue playing golf!
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is...the ability to play every shot in the bag and the level of golf course that is available here.
What was your first job? I was the Bat Boy for Denver University from age 8 to 15.
Grounds Department
Nathan Peters – Superintendent
nathanpeters@burloaksgolfclubturf.com
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is…the laid-back atmosphere.
The craziest request I have received from a golfer…When I was tending the grounds, a golfer said, “You want to finish my round? Because I’m playing terrible!”
My funniest golf experience…was watching a golf partner climb 30 feet in a tree to get his driver he threw in the tree.
When did you get the “bug” to work in this industry? As a young golfer with my Grandpa, we would golf before sunrise.
Mike Ford – Assistant Superintendent
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is…the fall colors.
The craziest request I received from a member…A member asked me to retrieve their golf bag from the creek on Hole 4.
When did you get the “bug” to work in this industry? After trimming trees for 6 years, I realized I just love being outside. Then I came Burl Oaks and get to do what I love.
What is your favorite quote? Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Josh Hawley – Mechanic
The thing I like most about Burl Oaks is…I have a 250-acre office!
My favorite meal is…venison chops
My funniest golf experience…was during an employee golf tournament. A driver slipped from a guy’s hands and flew into the pond on Hole 8.
When did you get the “bug” to work in this industry? I was in the Snowmobile-ATV-Watercraft industry for 15 years and got burned out. So I came to Burl Oaks and have been working here for the last 10 years.
